9 Fun Family Theme Night Ideas

Updated: January 29, 2015

Take a cue from these savvy WTE mamas and mamas-to-be, who share their fun ideas and activities to do as one happy clan.

Whether you decide to throw a pint-sized, fruit-filled luau party or roast marshmallows under the stars for outdoor camping night, what's important is that you are having some fun as a family. What to Expect reached out to our mamas and mamas-to-be who shared their creative, family-pleasing, and budget-friendly ideas to make family time the highlight of the week.

Get Artsy

"Every Thursday is pancakes and art night. I don't know why or how it started, but it's become a weekly tradition!" — aprilante

Watch a Flick

"Tuesday nights are coloring nights for us (this is when the pictures on the fridge get replaced with new ones), and Thursday nights are movie nights! Right after dinner, we change into our pajamas and plop ourselves on the couch with a good flick and a bucket of popcorn." —goot2

Make Homemade Classics

"Every Friday night, we jump in the car and head over to my parents' house. Since I was a child, Fridays are pizza and wings night — my mom makes homemade pizza and bakes wings. Afterwards, we all pitch in to help clean up and the watch a movie." —wintergirl613

Get Silly

"My husband and I plan to do a weekly night full of games, silly magic tricks, dinner, and sitting out by the fire pit (baby is on the way!). If weather permits, there will be night time swims as well, since we live on a lake. If there's a full moon, we'll go for a boat ride in the dark. Family night once a week is going to be a must in my house!" —HipposaurusRex

Break Out the Board Games

"Game night — puzzles are a hit at my house. However, when the weather is nice, we do bike rides and nature trails. We also light a small fire in the backyard and roast marshmallows while telling ghost stories...pretend camping, really!" —BlackButterfly11

Enjoy Nature's Finest

"Our family does a few different things. We'll spend a nice day outside walking the dog through the woods or on the beach, and then we'll usually go out for dinner or get take out. Payday Friday is also take-out night, where we'll settle in for the night, eat favorite food, and watch a movie or two." —RioGG

Have a Sleepover

"Every Friday night we do pizza and watch a movie with our kids! Once a month, we pull mattresses into the living room and have a big family sleepover — complete with a movie and popcorn. We have three (almost four) kids all under the age of five, so they love it. Plus, it gives me a night off from cooking!" —anneke

Dive Into a Pool

"Wednesday nights we go to an indoor pool — it's a great way to relax and tire out the kids! At least one night a week, we eat in front of the TV, and then after dinner we snack on popcorn and play games (my son loves playing Trouble to practice counting). My other tiny tot loves to help cook, so he gets to plan two meals a week and help me prepare them." —TeacherB

Munch on Tacos

"We have Taco Tuesday game night. I make tacos (usually a different kind every week), and then we play a bunch of board games." —swilson0905